Capstone Group hosts Integra International Cross Border Tax Workshop

Integra International members from over 20 countries attended an annual tax workshop organised and hosted by the Malta member firm, Capstone Group at the Westin Dragonara Resort last month.

The tax workshop brings together tax specialists from the network’s member firms to discuss the latest developments in tax legislation and how it impacts cross border transactions. Specific case studies relative to the theme set for the annual workshop are presented by the various speakers which focus on how the specific situation would be handled from a domestic perspective. This topic for this year’s workshop was ‘Exit Taxation & Succession Planning’ with previous themes including BEPS and the introduction of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).

Luana Scicluna, tax manager of Capstone Group described the theme of the workshop as follows: “An exit tax is a tax on accrued gains that becomes chargeable when a taxpayer moves assets outside a jurisdiction without transferring them to third parties, or when a taxpayer changes residence.” David Borg, Advisory Partner at Capstone Group and a member of the Integra International Global Board of Directors commented: “Integra tax workshops offer member firms a platform from where topical issues can be discussed with each delegate, giving focus on treatment of a particular transaction in his or her particular country. This allows all members participating to understand the impact that cross border transactions will have on their clients’ business and apply this knowledge in the best interests of their clients as well as stimulating dialogue between the participants.” For Europe, the harmonisation between member states through the

implementation of the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) was also discussed. Some EU member states are already compliant with ATAD, whereas other EU member states are expected to introduce an exit tax or amend their exit tax rules in line with ATAD by 1 January 2020.”

Tax Special Interest Group coordinators, Franz Schweiger from BF Consulting and Dirk Lehmann from Wagemann & Partner, were this year’s main speakers. Other speakers included Alessia Vinci from Studio Scibetta Poamaro, Ben Taleb Soumaya from Londen & Holland, James Colclough and Tim Cook from Wilder Coe, Patrice Dando Patrice from DPA Expertise Conseil, SARL, Angela Hardbattle from Gilmour Group, Gerard Esposito from Leaf Saltzman, Julieta Lopez-Chicheri from Bellavista Legal, S.L., Els Mannaert from Norway Accountants, Oishi Takuya from Actus Tax Corporation, Luana Scicluna from Capstone Group, Eddy Yeung from CPS Taxation Services Limited.

Capstone Group is a well-established firm of professional accountants and auditors with significant experience across multiple disciplines including the financial services sector. Capstone Group is also associated with ARQ Group, the latter being a joint venture between ‘Capstone and the law firm ‘FFF Legal’.

Integra International is a global, interactive association of Accountants, Auditors, Tax and Business Advisors. With over 123 partner firms present in 66 countries across the globe, Integra offers its member firms continuity and cross border solutions for all their client’s transacting across multiple jurisdictions. Member firms offer expanded professional services to their clients, including meeting their national and international needs. The typical profile of speakers in such workshops would be tax partners in the various firms or senior managers in tax departments. Countries represented included member firms from AAA (Australia, Asia and the Americas) and EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India & Africa). For more information, please visit www.capstonegroup.com.mt.